1992 Lexus LS400 from North America - Comments

I have owned this car for one year.

When I purchased the car the only thing that didn't function was the display for the heater and clock was not functioning. Apparently a known issue with 90-92's.

For the first year I owned it the only maintenance I paid for was regular oil changes. A few months after that I started to get a power steering leak, just a $2.85 hose and $150 for labor.

Around the same time my A/C stopped functioning. The A/C compressor seized, and the dealer tells me it will run about $1500-$2500 for parts and labour. I have not bothered to get that fixed yet.

For a car with over 300,000 KM's it still runs like a brand new car. My goal is to hit atleast 500,000 KM. I bought the car with 292,000 KM for $13,000 + tax Cnd.

The car has great power for a 92, 0-60 Mph in high 7's-low 8's, and even with a V8 still gets respectable gas mileage. It has an 80 liter tank, and I seem to at times get as much as 750-800km out of a tank (highway). For anyone looking to buy a new car in the 15-25 thousand range, why not consider a early-mid 90's Lexus?

The only problem I have with Lexus is the fact that I am 19 years old and whenever I go into the Lexus dealership (Halifax, NS) I get terrible treatment. Their basic oil change costs $79.99, and when I ask them what the difference is between getting an oil change in an LS 400 and a Toyota Avalon, they told me nothing except they give you a car to use and they clean your car when it's a Lexus. Yet every time I have had it in for an Oil change neither have I been offered a car to use nor have they ever cleared my car. I assume the fact is because I'm so young. So I started taking my car to the local Toyota Dealership and getting the same oil change for $24.99.

Nice comment page. I see you're only 19 and I had some questions about the car and would like them to be answered from someone my own age. I'm 18 and I'm looking for the car because it has the standards I want (I drive a Cadillac right now, so I'm used to a lot of luxery) but something reliable and with a better/non-american name. Do you get made fun of at all for being so young and driving such a big car?! Also, would you recommend the car to younger drivers? Thanks for your answers.

JJW

jesserules_98@yahoo.com

Lake Forest, IL.

Hey Halifax Lexus owner.

Bummer about the crappy treatment you get at the Lexus dealership. I moved to the USA for work and find the service not much better even at 37 yrs. of age!!! I owned a 1991 LS400 and hope to purchase another soon. I had same problem with LCD clock/temp bar, but the car drove beautifully - even on the 15" wheels! I had to replace a rear brake caliper (US $ 95.00) and a fog light bulb (US $ 42.00). Had I been smarter, I'd have matched the bulb at a local parts store for US $4.00 and put it in myself ; it's easy! It's also easy to change filters/fluids to save on BIG $$$$, even at a Toyota dealership.

Hope you continue to have pleasure out of your car. Don't let the weird looks from people who see you driving it bother you. They're JEALOUS 'cause the name LEXUS is now an ingrained status symbol in society. I much prefer the early 90's models for their smoother lines, when they changed styles - chopped the hood length - the cars looked uglier!

Good Luck with future Lexus's!!

Good review on the LS400.

I'm 15 and ever since I saw a 94 LS400 parked near my house I knew that would be the car I would get when I was older.

People who make snide comments about your car are probably jealous because they are driving about in crappy Ford Escorts and Nissan Micra's.

You might find a used compresor on Ebay. com and have your local mechanic effect the repair. Also, which hose failed on your power steering? I had a leak and replaced the PS pump and the leak returned one month later. Lex dealer told me my rack and pinion is bad so I decided to add fluid every other month until I really fugure out what the problem is.

//regards.

I'm currently in the final stages of purchasing a 1992 LS400 with ~115k miles. And yes, the LCD clock/temp is fading out, *BUT*, I found a website that will sell you a new LCD for $160 U.S. and they also provide step-by-step directions, with nice clear pictures, on how you can replace w/a new LCD board. If you have good mechanical skills and have ever used a soldering iron before, it looks and should be easy.

http://www.lextreme.com/lcdtech.html.

You shouldn't take your lexus to any dealership for anything unless its absolutly neccesary. Find a cheaper import specialist or something.

I own a 1992 Lexus SC400 which has the same engine and transmission as LS400. For a 19 year old I think the SC400 is a cooler car if you're looking for a sportier look. BTW thank you for the URL for http://www.lextreme.com.

I have an SC400 also. Great car for a first car. Its cheap, reliable, and safe. My parents bought me this car for my 16th birthday. It has 48000 original miles. Original owners pampered the car. Having the car serviced at Lexus is a lot, but worth if for the treatment you get.

I have 2 cars. An 2005 Merc-Benz SL AND MY 92 Lexus LS400. As magnificent as the Merc is, I get as much pleasure and enjoyment from driving the Lexus as I do the Merc. The Mercedes 500SL cost me around $70,000-the Lexus cost me $3,400!!

It was a one owner and extremely well taken care of by the gentleman who unfortunatly had to sell it after suffering a stroke. The car rides like it is on a cloud and the comfort and room are a pleasure on the 70 mile round trip on I-95 between Fort Lauderdale and Miami. The stereo is superb and in the 2 plus years I`ve had the car I have done nothing to it other than regular oil and fluid changes. The mechanics who work on it always remark on the great condition of the car. I`m very fortunate to be able to enjoy a car as fabulous as the Mercedes 500SL, but theres something even MORE satisfying in driving the Lexus. Its older and certainly not as nimble, beautiful or as responsive as the Merc but its quieter, nicer-riding and smoother than the SL. I get great satisfaction from the bulletproof build quality and overall feel of the Lexus and obviously, it is the single greatest bargain of anything I have ever owned in my entire life.I`ll leave you all with this... when I have the choice between which of these 2 cars I can take out, whether its to the supermarket or a buisness trip or a night out...It's a HARD DECISION!!! Viva Lexus!!!